Gloria Jean

Gloria Jean (born Gloria Jean Schoonover,) was an American actress and singer who starred or co-starred in films from 1939-1959, and made numerous radio, television, stage, and nightclub appearances. She is probably best rememberedfor her appearance with W.C. Fields in the film Never Give a Sucker an Even Break.

One of four daughters of Ferman and Eleanor Schoonover, the family was involved in her career, with sister Lois serving as stand-in for the actress and their father managing her career. Gloria Jean was three years old when she first sang on radio, under the name "Baby Skylark."

Under contract to Universal, she was given the leading role in the feature The Under-Pup. The film did well and Gloria Jean became instantly popular with moviegoers. Universal's publicity department initially claimed the singer was 11 years old instead of 13; her actual age was not well known for many decades.

She co-starred with Bing Crosby in If I Had My Way, then starred in the well-received A Little Bit of Heaven, which reunited her with many from the Under-Pup cast.